It’s safe to say that mastering the art of pole dancing for her role inHustlerswas one of the more challenging skillsJennifer Lopezhas tackled for a movie.
“Training for pole dancing was painful and really, really difficult,” Lopez tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover, where she and three other stars are celebrated as PEOPLE’s People of the Year.
“I’ve learned a lot of different things for movies, (from) martial arts to shooting, but this was something totally different… I was bruised everywhere, chafed, burned – people don’t realize you can’t have body makeup or tights on because you have to slide and it has to be skin to pole.”
Her hard work clearly paid off.
Jennifer LopezinHustlers.Barbara Nitke/STXfilms
Not only did Lopez’s pole dancing skills make for a jaw-dropping onscreen introduction to herHustlerscharacter, Ramona, but her overall performance in the hit film has landed the star on critics’ shortlists this awards season.
“Honestly, I was in tears,” says Lopez, 50, of all the accolades and Oscar buzz. “You are so honored to be in the conversation… It all felt awesome and overwhelming.”
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The critical acclaim — and mad pole-dancing skills — has been an added bonus from makingHustlers, which Lopez co-produced, but playing Ramona had its own enduring effect on the actress.
“It’s that theme of being limitless, this whole idea that you can do it on your own… There was a toughness to her that reminded me to be that way in my own life.”
While she is happily engaged to former Yankees starAlex Rodriguez, 44, Lopez says she has never felt more personally empowered. “I’ve come to a place where I feel the most comfortable and most powerful I’ve ever felt,” she says.
“I feel more confident and at peace with who I am and more aware of what I bring to the table, but that was a huge journey.”
source: people.com
